SanDisk Cranks microSDHC Cards to 16GB

The fingernail-sized cards have received an enormous boost in size to 16GB, bringing any microSDHC-enabled phone to iPhone-like capacity.

Mobile phones with microSDHC slots just got a whole lot roomier. SanDisk expanded the tiniest of removable flash formats on Monday by introducing the very first 16GB card in the popular microSDHC format, along with a matching card in Sony’s similar Memory Stick Micro format.

The cards will double capacity from the old format limit of 8GB, effectively allowing any mobile phone with the fairly common microSDHC standard to pack as much room as Apple’s flagship iPhone.

“Handsets have become far more than just phones –  they’ve become mobile jukeboxes, mobile offices, even mobile movie theaters,” said Current Analysis’ research director Avi Greengart, in a statement. “Flash memory cards have increased in storage capacity, but even an 8GB card may be too small for anyone with GPS map data, a few movies, a game or two, a presentation file and other applications.”

SanDisk has also ironed out exclusive distribution deals with Best Buy Mobile and Verizon Wireless stores, which will be the only major U.S. retailers carrying the cards when they show up in November. The 16GB microSDHC version will sell for $100 while the Memory Stick Micro version will carry a premium, selling for $130.